Dj John Peel was "worn out" and felt marginalised by the BBC in the weeks before his death, friend and colleague Andy Kershaw said today.

Peel died of a heart attack on Monday night while on holiday in Peru with his wife Sheila.

Kershaw, a DJ on BBC Radio 3, said Peel's schedule at Radio 1 was affecting his health.

Kershaw said: "The last time I saw him, he looked absolutely worn out.

"We went to a cafe near Radio 1 and I said 'John, you look terrible'."

Kershaw said his colleague replied that his Radio 1 slot had been moved "and the combination of that and Home Truths (his Radio 4 show) is killing me".

Kershaw added: "He felt he had been marginalised."

Peel broadcast on Radio 1 three times a week in the 10pm-midnight time slot until July, when he was moved to the 11pm-1am slot.

A Radio 1 spokesman said: "Everyone at the BBC is shocked and upset by John's sudden death. At a time when his family are still in deep mourning - out of respect for them - this is not the time to make remarks or to comment."

Musicians, DJs, BBC colleagues and the Prime Minister have all spoken of the sad loss of Peel. Tributes from listeners have also flooded in.